Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Dhaka Megan Bouldin on Sunday said women have a critical role to play in Bangladesh's economic development.

She congratulated the remarkable women who completed the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme this year.

"You are paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs and proving that women have a critical role to play in Bangladesh's economic development," said Bouldin.

The US Embassy, Dhaka, in partnership with BRAC University's Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), celebrated 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs on their completion of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program at the university’s campus in Badda on Sunday. 

"The AWE programme is not just about entrepreneurship—it's about economic empowerment," said Bouldin. "When women succeed in business, their families, communities, and economies thrive." 

Bouldin also announced an additional $30,000 grant to fund a business pitch competition among 140 participants from all AWE cohorts. 

"We are thrilled to announce this funding, which will allow women from all cohorts to compete for multiple $5,000 awards to support their entrepreneurial ventures," she added.  

Bouldin presided over the event, reaffirming the US government's commitment to women’s economic empowerment and fostering economic growth that is both gender-inclusive economic growth and provides opportunities to religious and other minorities across the country. 

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The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 78 exceptional women entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh—including Sylhet, Cumilla, Barishal, Khagrachari, Jashore, Chattogram and Dhaka—who successfully completed the second cohort of the US government-funded AWE programme. 

During the ceremony, six top business pitch winners from the latest cohort were awarded for their outstanding business proposals.

The event featured a mini-fair and exhibition where participants showcased and sold their products, demonstrating the entrepreneurial skills they developed through the programme.

Many participants come from marginalised and minority communities, exemplifying their resilience and determination throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. 

The AWE programme, a global initiative of the US Department of State, equips women with essential business knowledge and skills, according to the Embassy.

Delivered in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, the program uses the DreamBuilder platform to provide online learning resources and soft-skills training. 

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This year's cohort included 90 participants from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, with priority given to women from indigenous, minority, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The three-month course, conducted in Bangla by industry experts, emphasized sustainability, peer-to-peer learning, and networking—creating a solid foundation for business growth. 

The US Embassy's partnership with BRAC University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable programs that address the needs of underrepresented women entrepreneurs and promote the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh. 

The AWE initiative aligns with the US National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, promoting women’s full economic participation and supporting a future where women from diverse backgrounds can contribute meaningfully to global economic growth, strengthening the prosperity of their communities and industries.